Coronavirus Update
Coronavirus number are getting scary. Since late December, there have been over 43,000 cases reported, with the death toll surpassing 1,017 in China alone. More cases are being discovered all over the world. You can check out this live map for more numbers.
The World Health Organization also announced the official name Tuesday, saying it was careful to find a name without stigma. It will be called COVID-19. It stands for the coronavirus disease that was discovered in 2019.
The virus is continuing to disrupt travel world wide. A cruise ship was locked down in Italy days earlier, and now more than 3,000 people, including 428 Americans, are stuck on a Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama that became a floating quarantine zone after many passengers tested positive for coronavirus.
CLIA Tightens Screening Protocols
As cruise ships around the world are quarantined or turned away from ports, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has adopted stricter coronavirus screenings across its member cruise lines. The new guidelines tighten up screening policies previously announced on Jan. 31 for CLIA-member cruise lines, which make up over 90 percent of ocean-going cruise capacity worldwide.
The policy continues to deny boarding to anyone who has traveled from, visited or transited via airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, within the last 14 days. CLIA-member cruise ships also will deny boarding to anyone who has been in contact with or helped care for anyone suspected or diagnosed with coronavirus within 14 days of embarkation. Boarding also will be denied to anyone currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure to novel coronavirus.
CLIA lines will conduct preboarding screening necessary to effectuate these prevention measures. Anyone exhibiting symptoms will be subject to additional screening and initial medical care.
American Airlines Extends Flight Suspensions
American Airlines extended its flight suspensions to mainland China and Hong Kong through late April, citing “reduction in demand,” the company announced Tuesday.
“We will continue to evaluate this schedule and make any adjustments as necessary,” American said in a statement.
Other U.S. carriers have similarly suspended flights to China as the coronavirus outbreak continues. Delta Airlines canceled flights to mainland China through late April, while United Airlines suspended flights to China through late March and Hong Kong through late February.
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